Means for mounting and operating the slats in venetian blinds



July 17, 1951 D. R. BARNES, SR

MEANS FOR MOUNTING AND OPERATING THE SLATS IN VENETIAN BLINDS 2Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 26, 195,0

Snventor i W L O;

Cttorneg5 S D N I ma N mv am D L S E H T july 17, 1951 MEANS FORMOUNTING AND OPERATING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 26, 1950 PatentedJuly 17, 1951 MEANS FOR MOUNTING AND OPERATING THE SLA'IS IN VENETIANBLINDS Donald R. Barnes, Sr., Bridgeport, Conn.

Application January 26, 1950, Serial No. 140,665

5 Claims. I

This invention relates to Venetian blinds, particularly to the supportfor the individual slats employed in such blinds and to the mechanismfor raising and lowering such slats to open and close the blind.

In blinds of this type as heretofore usually constructed, raising theblind causes the slats to accumulate at the bottom of the draw member,resulting in the well known unsightly appearance oi a bundle of slats atthe center of a window when it is desired to only partially open theblind. Although eiIorts have been made to overcome this disadvantage,they have not been commercially feasible or mechanically practical.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved Venetian blindconstructed and arranged to gather the slats at the top where they willbe out of View, by means of a simple, practical and greatly improvedmechanism.

A further object is to provide a Venetian blind of improved andsimplified construction arranged to permit the individual slats beingeasily and quickly removed and replaced without disturbing the operatingand supporting mechanism.

A further object is to provide a Venetian blind having improved detailsof construction which provide numerous advantages in its use andoperation. Y

With the foregoing and other objects in view,

I have devised the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawingsforming a part of this specication. It is, however, to be understood theinvention is not limited to the specific detaiis of construction andarrangement shown, but

may embody various changes and modicatlons within the scope of theinvention.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a iront elevation of a Venetian blind constructed inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation partly in section, of the blind shown in Fig.l;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a detail;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the operation of removing andreplacing a slat in a supporting clip;

Fig. 5 is a plan View of a blank from which a Slat-supporting clip isformed;

Fig. 6 is a similar view of a blank from which a bottom clip for holdingthe bottom slat is formed;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a modied form .of slat;

Fig. 8 is an end view of a clutch member employed in the slat supportingclips to provide a frictional grip on the draw member;

Fig. 9 is a plan of the clutch assembly;

Fig. 10 is a section through one of the clutch jaws and an associatedsupporting sleeve in separated relation, and i Fig. 11 is a section of adetail of the clutch gIlP- In general, the invention comprisesSlat-supporting clips which are connected to the operating andsupporting mechanism of the blind. Each clip has a removable Slatconnected thereto in a way permitting any number of slats to be quicklyand easily removed and replaced, for cleaning, renewal of damaged slats,or the like. This also permits quick changing of part or all of theslats in a given blind in order to obtain any desired color scheme ordesign for interior decoration, and the like. Each supportingclip isconnected to the draw mechanism by an adjustable friction clutch of sucharrangement that the grip of the clutch on the draw mechanism can beeasily and quickly adjusted to obtain the desired operation. In this waythe operation can be so controlled that lifting the draw mechanism willraise all slats simultaneously to avoid gathering a bundle of slats atthe bottom of the draw member. As the draw member is raised the slatssuccessively reach the top of the blind where their upward movement isarrested while the draw member continues to move upward to raise thefollowing slats, this movement being permitted by the slipping of thedraw member through the frictional gripping mechanisms or clutches onthe successive clips. As a result the slats gather in a bundle at thetop of the blind behind a valance or the like where they are normallyout of sight.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention is shown in connection witha Venetian blind including a top frame member I5 having a blindsupporting bracket I6 at each end. Preferably `the upper portion of theblind is concealed behind a valance I1, or the like.

Each slat i3 is removably supported between end clips IS. As shown inFig. 1,the top bar 20 has mounted thereon a shaft 2l rotatably supportedin the associated bracket l5. The shaft 2| at one end of the blind, theright as shown in Fig. l, is adapted to be rotated by a geared rotaryadjusting mechanism 22 actuated by an endless bead chain E3 extendingover an operating pulley 2li, as shown in Figs. l and 3. Each run of thechain extends through a separate guiding eye 25 supported on theassociated bracket I6. The

supporting clips I9, along each side of the blind, are connectedtogether for simultaneous tilting by flexible connecting means such asthe bead chains 26 illustrated, each of which is so connected to theedges of successive clips that the latter, together with the slats i8,can be easily tilted to the desired position. The slats can be easilyequally spaced by using the same number of balls or beads 26a on theside chains 26. For this purpose, when the clips are of metal as in theillustrated form, each clip is iirst blanked out of a metal strip or thelike and provided with a pair of spaced ngers or lugs 21 which are thencurled to provide spaced, circular, bead-engaging or gripping lugs 28engaging the opposite sides of the associated bead 26a which isrotatably held thereby, to allow easy tilting of the clips and slats.The bottom clips Ilb are similarly formed. The flexible tilting chains25 are supported at their upper ends between similar lugs formed on topsupporting clips |905 which are located inwardly of the ends of the topbar 20 to clear the hereinafter described draw mechanism, as shown inFig. 1.

The draw mechanism illustrated includes a draw member at each side ofthe blind, such as bead chains 3l, the lower end of each of which issecured to the associated bottom clip i919 by having the lower ballslipped through a key slot 82 or the like (Fig. 6) and engaging in aseat 33 in the center of the clip. The draw means extend upwardlythrough slots Sil in the top bar 20.

Each slat i8 is connected to the draw member by means of an adjustablefriction clutch which is shown as mounted in a slot 35 in each clip I9.As illustrated, each clutch includes a relatively stationary jaw 3l, seeFigs. 4 and 9, having a chain engaging friction surface 38 at one endand a pair of crossed slots or recesses 39 of different depth at theother end whereby the position of the gripping surface in the slot canbe adjusted by litting one or the other slot 39 over the yedge 35a atthe adjacent end of the slot 35. A relatively movable jaw lll has achain receiving slot 42 formed in the friction surface 43 thereof. Themovable jaw lli has Ian extension 44 which telescopes within a sleevemember 45 having crossed slots or recesses 4S of different depths in itsouter end to receive the adjacent edge 35D at the end of the slot 35,forming a means whereby the position of the sleeve member can beadjusted longitudinally of the slot. A pressure spring 41 is interposedbetween the end of the sleeve 45 and a shoulder 48 on the jaw memberlll. A jaw supporting collar i9 having slotted ears 49a on each sidethereof, the slots or notches wb of which embrace and guide this memberon the side edges 35e of the slot 35, surrounds the jaw extension i4 toform a support and guide for the movable jaw 4|. The collar engages theshoulder 158, the spring lll bearing on the collar 49 to retain itagainst this shoulder and hold it straight, and thus prevent it fromtipping or dropping out f the slot. The draw chain extends between thegripping jaws 3l and 4I and through the slot 42. The jaw 4l is pressedagainst the chain 31 to frictionally grip this chain between the jaws 37and 4I by the coiled spring lita within the sockets 44a and 45h inmembers fill and t5 and bearing at its yopposite ends against the ends0f these sockets. The movable jaw member 4l being relatively rotatable,it will be apparent that the associated slat can be freely tiltedwithout any substantial resistance from the draw mechanism and thereforethere will be no bending of the "lifting chains 3| as the slats aretilted and these chains will always remain straight. The frictional gripof each pair of jaws on the draw chain can be easily adjusted by ttingthe ends of the slot 35 in different end slots or recesses 42 and 46because of their dilerent depths in the jaw members.

Each slat I8 is mounted for easy removal and replacement in thesupporting clips I9. As shown in Fig. 4, for example, each supportingclip is stamped with projecting ears 5I at each side of the lingers 21.Thereafter the ears 5l are curved to form inwardly facing,Slat-receiving grooves 52 into which the edges 0f the slats can beeasily inserted. The end of each slat has a relatively deep slot 53 forclearance of the clutch mechanism in the associated clip, a stop lug 54being struck up from the slat to limit the inward movement thereof onthe clip.

The draw chain 3l has each run carried upwardly over pulleys 55 on thesupporting bar I5 and thence downwardly through a holding braclci et 56having a pair of chain holding jaws 51 opening outwardly so that the tworuns of the chain can be quickly inserted or withdrawn therefrom.

It will be apparent that the slats and other parts can be made from anysuitable material such as wood, steel, aluminum or other metal. Whenmade from metal it may be found desirable in many cases to Jform themfrom relatively thin gaugel When this is done the slats can bereinforced by longitudinally extending flutes 58 or the like, as shownin Fig. 7.

The gripping jaws can be formed of any suitable friction material Whichmay, for example, be a thermo-plastic. Because of its self-lubricatingproperties Lucite has been found appropriate.

In operation, the friction clutches are so adjusted as to grip each slatwith suicient force to Support it on the draw chain 3l, but to permitthe chain to slip through the clutch when the slat is raised to the topof the blind where its upward progress is blocked. Thereafter thefurther upward movement of the draw chain causes the latter to slipthrough the gripping jaws which, however, hold the slat againstdropping. As the draw chain is raised the separate slats move upwardlyin their properly spaced relation Without accumulating a bundle of slatsat the bottom of the chain. When a valance I1 is employed the bundle ofslats will accumulate behind it and be entirely out of sight.

The lower slat ISa is shown as a double slat in Fig. 2, and ispreferably weighted 'by a weight 59 of lead, steel or other material, toexpedite the lowering thereof.

The tilting side chains 26 can be used with the old style blinds usingthe usual cord pulls instead of the friction clutches of the presentdevice.

With this device the slats may be easily and quickly removed without theconfusion resulting in the old type of slat supporting means. Thesupporting clips at each end of a slat makes it possible to easily andquickly remove any one or all of the slats by merely gripping the clipwith one hand and pulling out the slat with the other hand, leaving allcontrol mechanisms at the sides of the window intact and ready toreceive the cleaned or new slats, and be ready for operation again.

If any slats are damaged or bent, new ones can be secured by sending theoverall length and color to the agency or factory and new slats can beshipped immediately and quickly installed without tools or requiring theservices of a service man. The chain supports and pulls have noshrinkage or change in length and therefore there will be no lopsidedhanging of the blind or slats, as in the old construction, due toshrunken tapes or cords. The chains will always give the proper spacingof slats and adjust themselves properly regardless of weather ortemperatures. As described, the tension of the clutch mechanism on thelift chains can be easily changed to make them tighter or looser, asdesired, the tension ordinarily being adjusted in each to merely supportthat slat only, as it has no bearing on the others. This can be used tocompensate for different weight slats. This adjustment can also be usedin compensate for wear either on the chain or clutch. These chainsfurther render the construction re-proof where metal slats are used.

As a result of this invention, the removal and replacement of individualslats is a simple operation which can be quickly accomplished withoutrequiring any attention to the supporting or operative mechanism, andthe blind can be raised without accumulating an unsightly bundle ofslats across the window or other opening, It will be apparent that theinvention can be variously modied and adapted within the scope of theappended claims.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, I claim:

1. A Venetian blind having a plurality of slats suspended in spacedrelation on a flexible supporting means, draw means secured to thelowest of said slats for raising and lowering the blind, and frictionalgripping mechanism connecting each slat to said draw means to cause saidslats to be lifted simultaneously in normal spaced relation when saiddraw means is raised, including relatively movable jaws at least one ofwhich is provided with a transverse recess in its clamping face throughwhich the draw means passes, means pivotally mounting the recessed jawto turn about an axis extending longitudinally of the Slat, and meansfor operating the slat supporting means to tilt the slats in eitherdirection.

2. A Venetian blind including a slat supported for vertical movement,mechanism for raising and lowering said slat including a verticallymovable draw member, said slat including a member provided with a slotclosed at its opposite ends, frictional gripping means engaging saiddraw member comprising a relatively stationary jaw located at one end ofsaid slot, a relatively movable jaw positioned to press said draw memberagainst the stationary jaw, a supporting sleeve mounted at the oppositeend of the slot, coacting means mounting the second jaw for slidingmovement on said sleeve toward and from the rst jaw, spring meansbetween the movable jaw and the supporting sleeve tending to shift thisjaw toward the stationary jaw to clamp the draw member between them, andmeans for supporting the sleeve and stationary jaw in different relativepositions longitudinally of the slot to vary the spring pressure betweenthe jaws.

3. A Venetian blind including a slat supported for vertical movement,mechanism for raising and lowering said slat including a verticallymovable draw member, said slat including a member provided with a slotclosed at its opposite ends, frictional gripping means engaging saiddraw member comp-rising a, relatively stationary jaw located at one endof said slot, a relatively movable jaw positioned to press said drawmember against the stationary jaw, a supporting sleeve mounted at theopposite end of the slot, coacting means mounting the second jaw forsliding movement on said sleeve toward and from the rst jaw, springmeans between the movable jaw and the supporting sleeve tending to shiftthis jaw toward the stationary jaw to clamp the draw member betweenthem, and means for supporting the sleeve member and stationary jawmember in different relative positions longitudinally of the slot tovary the spring pressure between the jaws comprising a plurality oftransverse recesses of different depths in the end of one of saidmembers to receive the adjacent end wall of the slot and seat thereon.

4. A Venetian blind including a slat supported for vertical movement,mechanism for raising and lowering said slat including a verticallymovable draw member, said slat including a member provided with a slotclosed at its opposite ends, frictional gripping means engaging saiddraw member comprising a relatively stationary jaw located at one end ofsaid slot, a supporting sleeve mounted at the opposite end of the slot,a relatively movable jaw mounted on said sleeve for sliding movementtoward and from the rst jaw, spring -means between the movable jaw andthe sleeve tending to shift this jaw toward the staticnary jaw to clampthe draw member between them, an annular supporting' ring surroundingthe movable jaw and slidably supported at the side edges of the slot tosupport and guide the movable jaw, and means for positioning thestationary jaw member and the sleeve member in different relativepositions longitudinally of the slot to vary the spring pressure betweenthe jaws comprising a plurality of transverse recesses of differentdepths in the end of one of said members to receive the adjacent endedge of the slot and seat thereon.

5. A Venetian blind including a slat supported for vertical movement,mechanism for raising and lowering said slat including a verticallymovable bead chain, frictional gripping means mounted on the slatcomprising relatively stationary and movable jaws gripping said chainbetween them, said movable jaw having a transverse recess in which thechain is located and which forms a gripping surface therefor, asupporting sleeve mounted on the slat, said movable jaw including aportion telescoping with the sleeve for relative turning andlongitudinal sliding movements, and a compression spring between themovable jaw and sleeve tending to shift this jaw toward the stationaryjaw to clamp the chain between them.

DONALD R. BARNES, SR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 405,805' Smith June 25, 18892,165,292 Morse et al. July 11, 1939 2,197,965 Booth Apr. 23, 1940FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 18,147 Great Britain 1894 14,547Great Britain 1905 556 Great Britain 1906

